West Ham United Ladies are delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Brianna Visalli.
The 23-year-old moves to the Hammers after a year with Chicago Red Stars, and becomes the fifth player to pen professional terms at West Ham Ladies, following Rosie Kmita, Becky Spencer, Claire Rafferty and Vyan Sampson in signing with the Club.
“I’m not going to sugar-coat it. I cried tears of joy when I signed with West Ham,” Visalli told whufc.com. “This is truly a dream come true.
“To say I am excited would be an understatement. I can’t believe that I’m now going to be able to do what I love – play football – for a living, and to do it with West Ham is going to be incredible.”
An impressive season in her final year of eligibility for draft with Pepperdine University, in which Visalli scored 14 goals and provided six assists, saw the midfielder picked by Chicago during the 2018 NWSL College Draft. Visalli’s impressive college career afforded her the prestige of being 19th pick for the NWSL draft
The selection was just rewards for a player who scored 26 goals and registered 15 assists in 83 matches for Pepperdine, with Visalli becoming the first player in the University’s history to be named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
To say I am excited would be an understatement. I can’t believe that I’m now going to be able to do what I love – play football – for a living, and to do it with West Ham is going to be incredible.
Brianna Visalli
General Manager Karen Ray is delighted to welcome Visalli to West Ham and is eager to see what the midfielder will bring to head coach Matt Beard’s side.
Ray said: “Brianna brings something different to not only West Ham but to the WSL. There is no denying that the NWSL boasts some of the most talented and exciting players in women’s football, so Brianna will bring those experiences.
“Matt Beard and I have watched her play diligently; she likes to run at players and her athleticism and hunger in the final third will most certainly befit the players we are bringing in around her.”
Visalli is excited to make the move into full-time football, having worked three jobs during her time with Chicago to support herself while pursuing her dream of becoming a professional player.
“It is very nice to transition away from part-time to full-time professional,” Visalli continued. “These past four months, I had to pick up three side jobs to support myself while I trained alongside the first team for the Chicago Red Stars.
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“It was definitely a grind, but it reminded me of how hungry and passionate I am to play professionally, and I’m thrilled West Ham has given me that opportunity.”
A tenacious worker and driving midfielder, Visalli has given West Ham fans a hint of what they will see when she takes to the pitch in the iconic Claret and Blue.
“I think West Ham supporters will see hints of an attacking midfielder’s mind-set in the way I like to play,” Visalli added.
“I like to try and find the pockets of space in between the lines. I will look to dribble with the ball, combine with our forwards, and make my positioning count. I can’t wait to show off what I can do.”
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